Eli5: When someone has sleep paralysis, why can they still move their eyes?
In: Biology
Waking up from a period of REM sleep can result in sleep paralysis or atonia, REM is Rapid Eye Movement. https://youtu.be/M88Pwwv3M8k
The eyes have a much more direct connection to your brain. Some even consider the retina to be neural tissue as it forms from the same tissues as the brain.
The mechanism your body uses to cut the nerve impulses to your muscles during dreams does not affect the eyes.
This is why we call the dream portion of the sleep cycle the REM or Rapid Eye Movement.
Your muscles stay still and relaxed but your eyes will be moving as your dream self is moving and seeing with your dream eyes.
So if you’ve ever heard the term “REM Sleep” that stands for Rapid Eye Movement Sleep. It’s when dreams happen, and when sleep paralysis occurs.
Your muscles, all but your eyes and vital organs, are immobilized during REM sleep so you don’t act out your dreams.
When you enter sleep paralysis, you basically exit REM sleep without your body following suit so your muscles are still immoble and your eyes are still functional.
Yes, I dated a girl with sleep paralysis. She used to wake up, look at me while I sleep and try to tell me to wake her up by moving her muscles (practically just pushing her). But she eventually learnt how to wake up herself by breathing really deep. So yeah, your eyes work!
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